Tenerife: Horseback Ride with Instructor

Southern Tenerife looks different from horseback. From Xanadu riding center in Arona, you follow volcanic paths lined with tabaiba, cacti, and cardones, with the mountains behind you and the Atlantic below. Choose the one-hour ride for a gentle introduction, or the two-hour ride for the coast and a chance to take your horse toward the sea.

I like the calm, beginner-friendly horses and the small groups, limited to six people. I also like that guides such as Dori and Germain have been praised for explaining local plants, volcanoes, drainage channels, and the area’s past. The main consideration is communication: the instructor may speak only limited English, and the pace is usually a walk.

• The two-hour route reaches the coast and beach, while the one-hour option focuses on the volcanic paths near the center.
• Horses are matched to your size and experience, including slower horses for first-time riders.
• The scenery changes quickly, from mountain slopes and lava beds to ocean views and Canarian plants.
• The ride is designed mainly for beginners, with an instructor present and helmets included.
• Some guides take photos during the outing, and these may be sent to you through WhatsApp at no extra charge.
• Allow extra time at the center, since a previous group can return late and delay your start.

From Arona’s stables into southern Tenerife

The ride begins at Xanadu riding center in Arona, a small operation rather than a large commercial ranch. That matters because the group limit is six people, giving the instructor a better chance to keep an eye on nervous riders, children, and anyone who has never sat on a horse.

You first meet the horses and receive basic instructions. The center provides a helmet, and the staff choose horses with your size and experience in mind. This matching system is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A first-time rider may be placed on a particularly steady horse, while a more confident rider may be given a horse suited to a little more independence.

Do not expect a formal riding lesson lasting half the morning. You receive enough guidance to handle the basics, but several people would have appreciated more detail on steering and controlling the horse. If you are uneasy, say so clearly before setting out. The guides have shown that they will walk beside a beginner and keep a close watch when needed.

The center is small, so your scheduled departure can shift if another group is late returning. One outing began about an hour behind schedule, while another started roughly 75 minutes after arrival because the horses and riders from the previous trip had not yet come back. The full paid ride was still provided, but I would not plan a tight restaurant booking or airport transfer afterward.

One hour through lava, cacti, and ocean air

The one-hour option is the sensible choice if this is your first ride, you are short on holiday time, or you are unsure how your legs will feel afterward. You get a taste of the route without committing to a longer outing in the saddle.

The path crosses terrain formed by old volcanic activity. You may see dark lava beds, dry mountain ground, and typical Canarian plants including tabaiba, prickly pear, cacti, and cardones. The setting has a stark beauty: the vegetation is adapted to a dry climate, and the open ground allows broad views toward the ocean.

The scenery does not mean you will be galloping across empty ground. The ride is generally controlled at a walking pace, especially when the group includes beginners with different levels of experience. Some groups have been allowed to trot, but this depends on the instructor, the horses, and the ability of everyone in the group.

That makes the one-hour trip less about speed and more about seeing Tenerife from a slower, lower viewpoint. I think it works particularly well for couples, families with older children, and adults who like animals but do not want a demanding riding excursion.

The two-hour route to the beach

If the coast is the reason you are considering this activity, book the two-hour option. The longer ride follows the inland route before continuing toward the shoreline, and the beach section is the feature that turns a pleasant ride into a memorable one.

The journey to the coast can take much of the outward portion of the trip. One account described roughly an hour and a half before reaching the beach, leaving a shorter period by the water before the return ride. The timing can vary, but you should not picture a long beach ride with hours of free time. It is a guided route that includes the coast, not a beach holiday on horseback.

At the shore, the horses may walk into the water or splash along the edge. This is a striking moment, especially for first-time riders. The horses used here are described as calm and well handled, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions rather than urging your horse forward for a photograph.

There may also be a chance to trot on the way back if the group is comfortable. That is not guaranteed, and it is not the central promise of the activity. If you have never ridden before, the steady walk is likely to be enough excitement for one morning.

The two-hour route costs more in time and effort, but it offers the clearest reason to choose this experience over a short ride near a stable. I would pick it for the coastline, the sea breeze, and the chance to see the horses enter the water. I would choose the one-hour version if you mainly want to try riding without making the outing a major part of your day.

What the horses and instructors are like

The horses receive unusually consistent praise for being gentle, friendly, and easy for beginners. Several first-time riders felt safe after the initial instructions, and nervous participants often settled once the horses began following the guide.

That does not mean you are completely hands-off. You still need to sit correctly, hold the reins, and learn how to steer and stop. One rider reported that a horse briefly went too fast, but the instructor took control and brought things back under control. Tell the guide at once if your horse feels too quick or you are uncertain about what to do.

The staff have also been praised for caring properly for the horses. You can expect the animals to be assigned according to size and ability, rather than simply handed out at random. A slower horse may be used for a first-time rider, and an instructor may walk beside that person for much of the route.

Several guides have added value by pointing out local plants and explaining the volcanic ground. Dori has been singled out for talks about the land and the route to the beach, while Germain has been praised for guiding beginners with patience. The instructor’s approach can vary, but the best outings include more than directions to keep moving.

English is available in the activity information, along with Spanish, Russian, and Dutch. In practice, the main instructor may be a native Spanish speaker with only basic English. People have managed through gestures and simple instructions, but you will feel more comfortable if you know a little Spanish or are willing to communicate plainly.

The real pace, and what to wear

You will spend most of the ride walking. This is good news if you want to look around and take photographs, but it may disappoint experienced riders hoping for a fast trek. Trotting has happened on some outings, particularly on the return route, yet the instructor decides what is safe for the group.

The ride can be more tiring than the short duration suggests. Sitting on a horse uses muscles that may not get much work during a beach holiday, and one rider reported rubbing by the end. Wear long trousers if possible. Shorts are not allowed, and neither are swimwear or bare feet.

Closed shoes are the practical choice, although riding boots and shoes are not supplied. The rules specifically say to bring suitable footwear, and you should not arrive planning to ride in sandals. Bring sunscreen and water, since southern Tenerife can feel hot and exposed even when the coastal air is pleasant.

A helmet is included. Food and drinks are not, although a restaurant is located next to the riding center. That is useful before or after the ride, particularly if you are arranging the experience as a morning outing.

The activity is not suitable for children under six. The supplied information also lists weight limits of over 200 pounds and over 209 pounds, which do not match perfectly. If you are close to either limit, contact the center before booking rather than assuming you will be accepted.

How the $47 price holds up

At $47 per person, the one-hour ride is reasonably priced for a guided activity that includes the horse, instructor, and helmet. You are paying for access to the volcanic paths, not simply for ten minutes in an arena.

The two-hour option offers better value if you want the coast. You get substantially more time in the saddle and the beach section, though you should remember that part of the extra time is used for the outward and return journey. The value is strongest for people who see the horse ride itself as the main event.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead reduces the risk of booking around uncertain weather. The operator has also helped move rides when conditions looked poor. You can reserve and pay later, which is useful when you are still arranging other days in Tenerife.

The small group is another reason the price feels fair. A six-person limit allows the guide to adapt the pace and help a nervous rider. It does not guarantee a private tour, but it should feel more personal than a large trail ride.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend it most strongly to beginners, couples, families with children over six, and anyone seeking a quiet outdoor activity with strong views. You do not need previous riding experience, and the horses are selected to help newcomers feel secure.

It also suits an experienced rider who wants scenery rather than technical riding. The route offers volcanic ground, plants, mountains, and the sea, but it is not designed as a challenging equestrian trek. If you mainly want cantering, jumping, or a fast ride, this is probably not the right choice.

The two-hour route is especially good for photographers and anyone who wants the most distinctive part of the outing, the horses near the beach. The one-hour ride is better for a first attempt, a shorter schedule, or a family group with mixed confidence.

You should also be comfortable with a little uncertainty around timing and language. The operation is small, and delays can occur. The guides are friendly and attentive, but English explanations may be brief.

Practical booking advice for Arona

Choose the two-hour ride if the coastline matters to you. The beach section is the clearest difference between the options, and it is the part most likely to make this feel like a special Tenerife memory rather than a standard riding lesson.

Arrive prepared with long trousers, closed shoes, water, sunscreen, and a willingness to follow a walking pace. Do not wear shorts, swimwear, or ride barefoot. You may get ocean spray near the beach, but this is not a substitute for a swimming outing.

Allow a generous time cushion around the booking. The center may need to adjust your selected time if the small stable is full, and a previous ride can return late. This is a minor inconvenience, but it is worth planning for.

If English communication is important to you, ask ahead which instructor will lead your ride. The listed languages include English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch, but the main guide may speak only limited English. Basic Spanish can help, especially when receiving riding instructions.

Should you book the Xanadu horseback ride?

Yes, if you want a gentle introduction to riding with memorable southern Tenerife scenery. The calm horses, patient help, small groups, and volcanic route make this a good choice for beginners who might otherwise feel nervous.

I would spend the extra time and choose the two-hour outing if your schedule allows. Reaching the coast, feeling the sea breeze, and seeing the horses walk into the water give the experience its strongest sense of place.

Skip it if you need a fast, athletic ride, exact departure times, or detailed instruction in English. For everyone else, particularly first-time riders and families with older children, this is a fair-value way to see Arona’s dry volcanic country from the saddle.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride begin?

The meeting point is Xanadu riding center in the town of Arona in southern Tenerife.

How long is the horseback ride?

You can choose a one-hour or two-hour ride, depending on the option available when you book.

Does the two-hour ride go to the beach?

Yes. The two-hour option continues to the coast and includes views of the shoreline and sea breeze. The horses may also enter the water.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the one-hour or two-hour horseback ride, an instructor, and a helmet.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The horses are matched to riders by size and experience, and instructors provide basic guidance. A slower horse and closer support may be used for someone riding for the first time.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The activity lists English, Spanish, Russian, and Dutch. The main instructor may speak limited English and is often a native Spanish speaker.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen and water. Long trousers and closed shoes are also practical because shorts, swimwear, and bare feet are not allowed.

Are children allowed to join?

Children under six are not allowed to participate.

Is there a weight limit?

The information gives limits of over 200 pounds, or over 209 pounds, depending on the stated restriction. If you are close to either figure, confirm your eligibility before booking.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.